Financial seminar: training on Programme rules and procedures

The financial seminar for the lead partners and their controllers was an opportunity for the Lead Partners (LP), financial managers, first level controllers and second level auditors to learn and discuss in detail:

first level control problematic and its requirements,

financial reporting,

details on eligibility rules,

other topics important for project implementation such as cost-sharing method and budget flexibility.

The seminar took place in Hamburg on 18 -19 January 2012 and was organised by the Joint Technical Secretariat (JTS) of the Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013.

The event addressed both representatives of the lead partners that already took part in a project, as well as the lead partners participating in the project for the first time. All seven projects approved in June 2011 (call 4.1) were present. Altogether there were 25 participants, mainly financial managers of the LPs, first level controllers, second level auditors as well as JTS/Managing Authority staff.

Two guest speakers, one representing the centralised first level control in Poland and one representing the lead partner of the project from Germany, shared their experience from validation of expenditure, project management and compliance with the requirements.

After consuming several presentations participants could test the new knowledge during two case studies prepared by the finance team of the JTS.

Participants also very much appreciated the possibility to openly discuss the financial details between the lead partners, first level controllers and the Joint Technical Secretariat.